Travelling can be a lot
of fun, but parents should also be on the lookout for the
safety of their children.
Latex Balloons present a
serious risk to children under 8 years of age. Death
can result when a child inhales a portion of a balloon
while playing with an uninflated or broken balloon.
Red and Pink balloons present a special risk as the colour
of these balloons makes it difficult to see them when
Mylar and Paper balloons
are considered far safer for children, especially those
under 8 years of age.
The following warning has
been issued by the Consumer Product Safety
FROM THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20207
CPSC Warns Consumers
of Suffocation Danger
The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) warns parents and guardians of
young children about the suffocation hazard presented by
uninflated toy balloons and pieces of broken balloons.
Of all children's products, balloons are the leading
cause of suffocation death, according to CPSC injury data.
Since 1973, more than 110 children have died as a result
of suffocation involving uninflated balloons or pieces of
balloons. Most of the victims were under six years of age,
but the CPSC does know of several older children who have
suffocated on balloons.
Accidents involving balloons tend to occur in two ways.
Some children have sucked uninflated balloons into their
mouths, often while attempting to inflate them. This can
occur when a child who is blowing up the balloon inhales
or takes a breath to prepare for the next blow, and draws
the balloon back into the mouth and throat. Some deaths
may have resulted when children swallowed uninflated
balloons they were sucking or chewing on. The CPSC
knows of one case in which a child was chewing on an
uninflated balloon when she fell from a swing. The
child hit the ground and, in a reflex action, inhaled
sharply. She suffocated on the balloon.
The second kind of accident involves balloon pieces.
Children have drawn pieces of broken balloons that they
were playing with into their throats. If a balloon breaks
and is not discarded, for example, some children may
continue to play with it, chewing on pieces of the balloon
or attempting to stretch it across their mouths and suck
or blow bubbles in it. These balloon pieces are easily
sucked into the throat and lungs. Balloons mold to the
throat and lungs and can completely block breathing.
Because of the danger of suffocation, the CPSC
recommends that parents and guardians do not allow
children under the age of eight to play with uninflated
balloons without supervision. The CPSC does not believe
that a completely inflated balloon presents a hazard to
young children. If the balloon breaks, however, CPSC
recommends that parents Immediately collect the pieces of
the broken balloon and dispose of them out of the reach of
For more information on Choking Hazards go to Safety tips for Buying Safe Toys and Using Toys Safely
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